# NTSB DEN85FTI01: Polliwagen 2 Place, N13954, Manhattan, MT, January 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1985, 05:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Manhattan, MT
- Coordinates: 45.770397, -111.369377 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7704&lon=-111.3694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16568
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FTI01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16568/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FTI01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN FLT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT REPORTEDLY STATED HE NEEDED TO DEPART MANHATTAN BY 0500 MST TO ARRIVE IN HELENA BEFORE 0600 MST WHEN THE ATC TWR OPENED AS HIS ACFT WAS NOT RADIO EQUIPPED. THE WRECKAGE WAS DISCOVERED AT 1430 MST BY ANOTHER ACFT. THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP AT MANHATTAN WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH ANY RWY LIGHTING. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND ENG DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13954](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13954-2006-07-21), registration cancelled 2006-07-21, S/N 1037, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: POLLIWAGEN 2 PLACE
- Registry model: [Molendyk Jay E POLLIWAGEN](https://openairdocs.org/model/molendyk-jay-e-polliwagen) (registry code 05613P2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Revmaster 2100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/revmaster-2100) (registry code 52550, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 51
- Engines: REVMASTER 2100D reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jay Molendyk
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: MT
- Destination: HLN, HELENA, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 51 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 9 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BZN, 8 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850103000119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850103000119A), Jan 3, 1985: Amtr POLLIWAGON, Manhattan, MT, Destroyed. Aircraft impacted ground shortly after takeoff. No known mechanical or human causes. No attitude panel or reference

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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